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Osteoporosis is a condition where bone density becomes low and bones weaker and prone to fractures. It is normal for bones to become less dense with age, after a peak in density in the 20s or early 30s. Bone loss is faster in women who are past their menopause.
Osteoporosis has often been defined and diagnosed on the basis of bone density alone, but it is recognised that the quality of the microscopic structure of bone is also very important. For this reason bone density is not a good predictor of fracture in many younger people.
Osteoporosis can lead to fractures due to falls, such as wrist fractures but vertebrae in the spine may also become compressed and lead to a hunched appearance. There are however treatments for osteoporosis such a bisphosphonates that can prevent or slow bone loss.
